Well, here’s one that sold yesterday, a First Model Schofield for $34,075. I wanted it, but not that badly:

Fine & Extremely Rare Smith & Wesson First Model Schofield Revolver with Kelton Safety Device

And here’s one I bought, this one being a Nickel New Model No 3 in Nov 2021 for $11,162.50:

Exceptional Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Revolver with Rare Kelton Safety Device

Either I got a really good price on mine or the Schofield variation is more than 3 times more desirable.

I really wanted to have the pair, but yesterday’s auction ended up being mostly a little too rich for my blood.

Your NM3 is more of a rarity to me than the Schofield.
It's the only one I recall seeing
"Schofield" still rings the bell at auctions
Is yours lettered?
Is the Schofield... I forgot to look

Yours has serial number 24,514. The book states that Roy had found the safety installed on NM3s with serial numbers 24,512 - 24,518, so those 7 guns may be all that were made. Roy also states that there were 25 Schofields made with the safety between 1900 and 2,600. The Schofield sold was sn 2,591. Both nicely fit in his original estimates in 1966.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

FWIW: The Hudson Kelton Safety Schofield went to one of our members. It's the best condition version known and that probably reflected the hammer price. I'm not sure any Schofields will "letter" as original factory installed & shipped guns, but only as guns returned to S&W for the work. Ed

I’m glad A member got it if I wasn’t THE member who got it.

I don’t believe the Schofield is lettered. From what I can tell, Dr Hudson didn’t letter any of his revolvers.

Here’s the letter for mine.

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So the Kelton safety dates to about 1885. Designed for an obsolete revolver?
I guess someone found some old parts in store around 1919 and created a few oddities for grins and giggles.
Slow days at the factory?

My guess is that all were built in the Nineteenth century and nobody wanted them. How times have changed. SWCA database shows some sn 24,000 range guns that shipped between 1889 and 1891, so likely everything was built in the correct era. I bet whoever bought those Kelton guns did so at very good prices.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Your wrong. They were assembled in hopes of a government contract.

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Don Mundell

First off congratulations on your purchase of this beautiful and rare revolver. The condition is pretty amazing.
I have to say this is the first time I have seen this safety device. It looks pretty awkward to me. Tried to find out how it worked, but no luck.
I hope when you get it in your possession you will take some more pictures and explain the Kelton Safety Device in more detail. It is very interesting.

The thumb safety device was found on several Early revolvers. More often on European made Bulldog type Revolvers.

The device when activated would normally lock the action completely. Both the hammer and trigger would lock until the device was released. The problem on the Bulldogs is the device would loosen and cause a jam When the gun was needed! Which would be very unfortunate for the operator.

Once the rebounding hammer was introduced the thumb safety became obsolete. Even on the Bulldogs this device is somewhat rare.

I’ve seen them on Webleys and Tranter revolvers, mostly bulldogs Pretty sure they were on Adams revolvers also. German and Belgian made revolvers as well. They were also on some military revolvers in Europe but were quickly replaced with the rebounding design.

Those seen on American made revolvers are documented as experimental only and extremely rare.

Murph

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We just take your word for it or will you elaborate?

Who???????????????????????????
I was an underbidder.

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Don Mundell

Don, Pls see PM Ed

"Off the record, on the QT and very hush hush"

Something stuck in my head about this thumb safety. Then I remembered what gun came standard with the Thumb safety.
The Reichsrevolver. Military issued and Introduced in 1879 in 44 cal cf. The 44 Russian cartridge is basically identical. Same purpose. Locks the action and provides the safe carrying of 6 loaded cartridges in this single action large caliber revolver that saw action up to WWI. It’s a well made pistol. The action on these is very smooth with a solid lock up.

Murph

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I don't know when this Kelton device was invented, but how come S&W did not adapt the rebounding hammer which appeared in 1878 with its .32 single action revolver on later guns. Or did they ?